Beneteau Antares 8 Stressless review
Yacht · 26 ft (8 m) · Alcúdia
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- Beneteau
- Model
- Antares 8
- Length
- 26 ft (8 m)
- Guests
- 9
- Cabins
- 1
Verdict
A versatile compact cruiser with sensible proportions, strong outboard performance, and enough cabin space for short stays. It is best suited to day boating, coastal cruising, and family use rather than extended liveaboard comfort.
Pros
- +Compact 26-foot footprint with a broad 9'2" beam
- +Up to 250 hp and a claimed 35-knot top speed
- +Shallow draft suits coastal and harbor use
- +9-person capacity with one-cabin overnight layout
Cons
- −Single-cabin layout limits privacy and longer-trip comfort
- −Freshwater capacity is modest for extended cruising
- −Best performance depends on selecting the right engine package
- −Not as spacious as larger cabin cruisers
The Antares 8 is a modern compact cruiser with Beneteau’s familiar practical styling: a wide beam, enclosed pilothouse profile, and an efficient hull size for its class. The 2023 outboard version is offered with up to 250 hp, and Beneteau states a top speed of 35 knots, which puts it squarely in the fast family-cruiser segment.[1][13]
On the water, this is a boat built for easy handling rather than brute force. Its moderate draft and relatively light displacement for the length support coastal running, marina maneuvering, and short-hop cruising, while the single outboard simplifies maintenance and docking. The broad beam should also help stability at rest and in slow-speed operation.[1][4]
Inside, the Antares 8 is arranged for day use with occasional overnighting: one cabin, a small water tank, and CE C9/D9 certification that reflects its intended role as a compact, nearshore cruiser.[1][16] That makes it useful for families and couples, but the livability ceiling is limited compared with larger cabin boats.
In value terms, the design makes sense if the goal is a manageable, cruiser with genuine weekend potential. It offers a balanced package of speed, shelter, and usability, but buyers seeking more headroom, storage, or longer-range comfort will quickly find the size constraints.
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